Major Renovation, 5201 Maple Street, Vancouver, B.C.


This 1911 shingled heritage home (architect’s own) sat on an unusable low ceilinged basement and crawl space with an unreinforced foundation. To address this plus the desire for a comfortable basement suite and utility room, the house was jacked up on to temporary supports while the old foundation was removed and further excavation carried out. An all new insulated and reinforced concrete foundation was poured with radiant heat in the floor slab. The new basement windows (though double glazed) match the character of the old 1911 multi-paned windows above. The suite (approximately 1000 square feet) includes two bedrooms, full bath, washer-drier, storage closets, kitchen-dining area, and south facing siting room with a gas fireplace. With access from a South facing sunken patio, one senses the suite is at grade. Included with this renovation was an all new zoned heating system for the entire house and new drain tiles, plumbing, and electrical runs. The separate utility room has space for a large laundry area, work shop, and bike storage. This new legal and separate basement suite adds another self-contained dwelling within the home for use by grown children, guests, aging parents or rental tenants.